Things are heating up in marathon running circles, or should we say slowing down? The New York Times reported that by allowing slower runners on the New York City Marathon route, the intensity of the debate over how quickly an able-bodied runner should finish the once-elite event is increasing. more ›

Despite rising numbers of local participants running in its races, the New York Road Runners announced that will put caps on how many entrants they allow starting next year. The races in Central Park will now have a ceiling of 5,000 runners--a number surpassed by over a third of 27 its races this past year. The change is being made to enhance the overall experience of runners, not for any specific health or safety concerns. The 5,000 cap will not apply to the two biggest races--the New York City Marathon and NYC Half-Marathon, much bigger affairs--but those will now see limits as well. Mary Wittenberg, NYRR President, told the Times, “The biggest change is that it will force runners to decide early what races they want to run in. Up until now, they had the luxury of waiting basically until race day." more ›

Photo of marathon runners last year by sgoralnick on flickr more ›

Photo of by Tomoharu Mizuno (snowman) djwerdna on flickr; Mizuno finished in 6:25:34 The marathon is the city's most lucrative single-day sporting event; this year, the marathon will bring in an estimated $220 million to city businesses. Blind marathoner Henry Wanyoike ran the course in 2 hours, 52 minutes, and 18 seconds. The NY Sun reports that Wanyoike, who is blind from a stroke, runs " tethered by a rope to his partner, Joseph... more ›

Photograph the 2006 New York City Marathon finish line by CraigsPage on flickr Marathon fans, your time is here because this weekend, there are two 26.2 mile races in the city. In addition to the New York City Marathon on Sunday, Saturday is the USA Olympic Trials for the 2008 Olympic Men's Marathon. Saturday's Olympic Trials will feature the country's best long distance runners as they contend for the first spots on the 2008... more ›

The ING New York City Marathon is just a mere 25 days away on November 4. The day before the marathon, the New York Road Runners Club is hosting the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for the Men's Marathon. The NYRR has created a blog with videos and commentary called Chasing Glory. Today, there's a video of Abdi Abdirahman, the three-time U.S. 10,000 champ. more ›

Instead of being scrapped after almost 15 years of faithful service, a New York City ambulance on its way to retirement will continue to do good - overseas! The Central Park Medical Unit has been providing free medical care in and around the Park since 1975 is donating the oldest member of its ambulance squad to a hospital in Nigeria. more ›

If it happens, prepare your eyes. Joan Rivers says that she's training to run for the 2007 New York City Marathon. The septuagenarian said on The View that she's running for about an hour a day right now and that she may have to wear a special brace to protect all her face lifts. And here we thought the only marathons Joan could do involved an awards show or plastic surgery. more ›

Everyone's story for preparing to run a marathon is unique. But we face the common hurdles from just getting into the famous New York City Marathon, to injuries, frustration, exhaustion and most importantly, and finally the thrill of calling yourself a marathoner. I had run casually off and on for 3 years. I considered myself an amateur, but was proud to be a runner. So after 2 years of watching and cheering for the largest marathon in the world, I thought "why not enter the lottery and try to get in?" Imagine my surprise when I found out that I was one of the lucky ones, out of 90,000 people who entered, to get in. more ›

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For the first time since Tegla Laroupe in 1994 and 1995, the New York City Marathon has a repeat winner. Jelena Prokopcuka of Latvia repeated her victory last year with a time of 2:25:05. Prokopcuka was so far ahead of 2nd place women's finisher Tatiana Hladyr that she was blowing kisses to the throngs of spectators as she approached the finish line in Central Park. Prokopcuka finished a full minute ahead of Hladyr. Deena Kastor, who was trying to become the first American winner since 1977 and was one of the pre-race favorites, finished 6th. more ›

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The ING New York City Marathon is just five days away, and many people are probably thinking about their viewing strategies. The marathon website has different suggestions for watching the professional marathoners and friends and family. If you're cheering someone on, the ING NYC marathon suggests:

Mile 8 in Brooklyn , where the three starts converge, is a great place to catch runners looking fresh for photographs. A variety of subways can get you there: the C to Lafayette Avenue; the G to Fulton Street; the 2, 3, 4, or 5 to Nevins Street; or the B, D, N, Q, or R to Atlantic Avenue-Pacific Street. more ›

- This year's New York City Marathon could very well see an American woman win for the first time since 1977. Deena Kastor, the 2004 Olympic bronze medalist and US marathon record holder, announced that she will be participating in the November race. Kastor won her first marathon last year in Chicago and set the American record when she ran the London Marathon earlier this year. more ›

Two of the biggest brands in the world came together today in New York to announce a partnership for a new product. Nike and Apple - who wasn't content just with opening a store on 5th Avenue - announced the Nike+iPod - a wireless system that can track your running progress and allow you to choose a "PowerSong" to pump you up when you hit a wall. The sensor fits into a special compartment under the insole and a receiver attaches to the iPod (which only works for the Nano). With the sensor, a voice can tell you what your progress is through the headphones with the touch of a button. Nike is rolling out several new Nike+ shoes in the fall, with the Air Zoom Moire as the first in the Nike+ line. There's also a pretty spiffy Nike+ website where you can track your run history and set up competitions with your friends. The Nike+iPod sports kit has a retail price of $29 and will be in stores in 60 days. more ›

Last year's New York City Marathon saw the closest women's race in history, this year's marathon saw the closest race in NYC Marathon history for men or women. Paul Tergat, the world record holder for the marathon, finished .32 seconds ahead of 2004 winner Hendrick Ramaala who collapsed just as he reached the finish line. Tergat's win came on his first attempt at the NYC Marathon. As we watached the men's lead pack run in Central Park, we couldn't help but marvel at the trio of runners involved. Tergat, Ramaala and Meb Keflezighi, the best runner in the US and last year's runner-up, all running side to side. That picture was only bested by the finish. more ›

-Speaking of precocious children... Our favorite story of the day has to be those of the poor families who went to a screening of the wretched Chicken Little only to find themselves watching a "foreign film that opened with a young man committing suicide." Good job AMC! more ›

Tomorrow, in case you had forgotten, is the ING New York City Marathon. And considering that the forecast is for a beautiful, slightly overcast, day in the high 60s, we fully expect you to go out and cheer on the runners (or, if that isn't your thing, at least know where the whole thing is so you can avoid it). Hence the map to your left. Can't read it clearly enough? Download the pdf. Don't like that map? The marathon website has plenty of different ways for you to figure out where the runners will be. more ›

With the the ING New York City Marathon only two days away, the city is swarming with runners from all over the world. Last night, Gothamist headed over to Niketown to talk to some of the elite runners competing in Sunday's race. It seemed that the runners weren't too worried about the forecasted 70° temperatures as everyone they are competing against will face the same conditions. Below are some highlights of our question and answer sections as well as some additional answers we got in the extended entry. more ›

The NYC Marathon site has a bunch of fun stuff including an interactive map of the course (flash), a detailed course preview, and a five different cheering strategies. more ›

The marketing whizzes at Coors love you marathon runners, "After running 26.2 miles, marathoners deserve positive recognition and we look forward to toasting their remarkable achievement at the finish line." For your achievement, you can look forward to replenishing your fluids with a beer flavored water, Coors Light. It makes finishing all the more worth it, yeah? more ›

Proof that the New York City Marathon can go on without P Diddy came yesterday as more than 35,000 people participated in the 26.2 mile, five-borough race. Runners from around the world gathered at the start in Staten Island and finished in Central Park. For the women, Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain rebounded from her disastrous performance during the Olympics to win in 2:23:10. Her margin of victory over Kenya's Susan Chepkemei was only four seconds, making it the closest finish ever for the women. Radcliffe and Chepkemei were step for step until the last 200 yards. Lyubov Denisova from Russia came in third. more ›

If you're just joining us, here's what you missed last week:
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Now that spring is here, I'm thinking more about running. How do I apply for the New York City Marathon? more ›

Read A Raisin in the Sun. And the PD won a New York Award this year from NY magazine, seemingly in part because of his Bad Boys 2 soundtrack...um, whatever! more ›

P.Diddy stopped by City Hall to donate his $2 million, raised from running the NYC Marathon, to the children of New York City, and luckily, he brought an extra-large, foamcore-mounted check, perfect for press conferences. Mayor Bloomberg said, “Sean raised these funds the hard way – by training for and running in the ING New York City Marathon. Sean’s performance in the marathon was impressive, but more impressive still was that he showed New Yorkers that one person can make a big difference in the lives of our public school children." Then he joked that Department of Education Chancellor Joel Klein would wear P.Diddy's blinging diamond earrings if the Diddy did it again, but Diddy said he wouldn't run unless he raised $10 million. Diddy wouldn't comment on whether he'd endorse Mayor Bloomberg in 2005, probably thinking, "Brother only donated $10,000 - no way." more ›

Congratulations to all the men and women who ran the ING New York City Marathon. Some photos of runners, friends and family post-marathon at West 72nd Street. more ›

Today is the ING New York City Marathon and the city is gearing up for the annual event which ranks as the best NY sports even in Gothamist's book. Why: It's a mix of international professional and amateur runners, crossing five boroughs, New Yorkers cheering them on over the grueling 26.2 mile course. But while the warm weather may be great for the spectators but not so great for the runners. more ›

If you have to go to a Halloween party and you have no costume, here's a quick idea: Wear a warm-up suit (headband is a nice touch; pin a number to your front) and carry a big bowl of pasta - you're a New York City Marathon participant doing the carbo load! Or you could wear shorts, tank with a number pinned, and a cape of foil and be "post-marathon"; have a spray bottle ready so you can be sweaty. more ›